The Syracuse Orange are now off to A-Town to face their one of their toughest tests so far this year in No. 7 Georgia Tech.
To get you ready for the game, we brought in Jack Purdy of From the Rumble Seat for some added perspective. Here’s a preview of the upcoming matchup from the Yellow Jackets’ point of view:
TNIAAM: Georgia Tech enters its game versus the Orange still undefeated. In fact, it’s the first time the program has started 7-0 in a season since the 1960s. Through seven games, did fans think
this start was possible, or are they surprised?
We knew we had the potential for a special season, but the leap has been actually believing they would do it. Most of us saw 8 wins as reasonable given the schedule knowing we usually have a couple clunkers. Clemson was the early barometer for us. If we could win that, we may not run the table in the ACC, but at least that would tell us we have a chance. For the most part, we are surprised at just how well this is going. Now we’re trying to adjust our expectations knowing y’alls situation at QB, the fact BC sucks, and that Georgia might actually be gettable. We aren’t saying playoff yet, but we’re all thinking it.
TNIAAM: On that note, what’s been the biggest driver so far for the Yellow Jackets’ success?
Consistency in returning production, and Haynes King. This entire team has taken on the intensity and focus that Haynes King brings to the table every single play. They are so locked in every single moment on every play. A couple games ago, our main linebacker Kyle Efford didn’t even know who our next opponent was (Duke in this case) until a week before the actual game. They are truly taking this season day by day and not letting the noise get to them.
TNIAAM: Brent Key seems to have finally gotten GT “over the hump” after consecutive 7-6 seasons. What does he bring to the table and how has he transformed the program?
Like Haynes, Brent is such a remarkable leader of men. He’s had a plan for how to return this team to its proper place ever since was the interim head coach. A lot of the hump we had to overcome was talent in our recruiting pipeline. Our previous coach was hemorrhaging talent on both sides of the ball (we had Jordan Mason and Jahmyr Gibbs in the same backfield and did nothing with it). Brent has very consistently been improving coaches and position groups with meticulous care. Last year proved we had the guts to make serious waves in football. This year, knowing we had a lot of the key players coming back, this has been Brent’s year to show it wasn’t a fluke.
TNIAAM: If Syracuse is going to stop Georgia Tech’s offense, what’s the recipe for success?
Get in the backfield. We like to let a hole develop for Jamal Haynes, Haynes King, or Malachi Hosley to get through. Our offensive line isn’t perfect. It can be beat, but defenses have to be quick because King has multiple options every play.
TNIAAM: Switching sides, Syracuse has recently had its struggles scoring the ball. Which defenders do Orange fans need to be aware of?
When running the ball, Kyle Efford will hunt guys down. He’s our run stopper. Get him out of position and there will be holes. Our secondary tends to give space strategically because that’s our weakest spot on either side of the ball. There will be space underneath guys like Clayton Powell-Lee and Rodney Shelley.
TNIAAM: Broadly speaking, what are Georgia Tech’s biggest strengths and weaknesses?
I’ll give an off the beaten path answer here, one of our biggest strengths is our kicking. Aidan Birr currently is the most accurate kicker in Institute history. Without him, we don’t have 7 wins. Weakness: Secondary as mentioned before.
TNIAAM: For fans traveling to Atlanta, do you have any go-to spots for food, tourist attractions or anything on those line you recommend they stop-by for?
Believe it or not, don’t go to The Varsity. The food is terrible and will upset your stomach (writer’s note: not the Syracuse one… lol). If you go, just get a frosted orange and call it a day. For those not near a Waffle House up in New York, we have one on campus that will give the proper Waffle House vibes. One of my favorite independent spots nearby is Cypress Street Pint & Plate. J.R. Crickets is a little bit of a walk from campus but has the classic Atlanta lemon pepper wet chicken wings.
TNIAAM: Bold prediction time: with at least five games left in the regular season, do you think the Yellow Jackets are one of this year’s teams in the 12-team playoff?
Man, I almost don’t want to put this in the atmosphere right now, so I won’t. A loss before Georgia is possible. A loss to Georgia is possible, and it just might suck the air out of us going into the ACC Championship game, and that’s how we end up in the Pop Tarts Bowl or something like that.
TNIAAM: Syracuse enters this game as a 17.5-point underdog to the Yellow Jackets. Who wins and by how much?
Everything is going Tech’s way right now, and knowing y’all are in a serious rut, I don’t see Tech having any serious issues. It’s Homecoming weekend for us, the stadium might sell out for the first time in years. Some Tech fans would say this is absolutely when we fail, but the floor of this team is too good for that. Tech wins 40-20.
Thanks again to Jack Purdy for taking the time to provide some added perspective on the Yellow Jackets. For more Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ content, be sure to check out SB Nation’s From the Rumble Seat site.
